PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Garegin Balayan (ranked 554 p4p, 70 weight class) and Esa Kettu (ranked 411 p4p, 58 weight class). Balayan's entrance music is Troika. A fine choice. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Balayan
vs
Kettu

180 cm
32
170 lbs
25 - 11 - 0

179 cm
30
174 lbs
16 - 10 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 11 - 0, fighting out of London, Garegin Balayan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Esa Kettu!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Jack Bonds and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A leg kick checked by Kettu.
A countering left hand to the body from Kettu misses.
Kettu takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Kettu misses with an uppercut.
Balayan keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kettu throws a jab but it's blocked by Balayan.
Kettu misses the body punch
and Kettu takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Balayan checks a low kick from Kettu.
Kettu finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Kettu connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Balayan throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Balayan wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Balayan looks to land a left hand but Kettu moved out of range nicely.
Kettu pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Kettu closes the distance and clinches.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Balayan.
Kettu fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kettu is working Balayan over against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kettu tries to work over Balayan's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Balayan's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Kettu drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A head punch on the inside from Kettu fails to land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kettu swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Balayan lands a right hand.
Balayan blocking some punches.
Balayan is looking to control Kettu's arms but Kettu gets an underhook and turns him. Now Balayan has his back to the cage.
Balayan blocking some punches.
Balayan lands a hook that snaps the head of Kettu backwards.
A nice right hand lands inside from Balayan.
Balayan digs a right hand underneath Kettu's ribcage. Kettu let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Balayan blocking some punches.
Balayan makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Good body shot from Balayan.
Balayan misses with some punches.

Balayan pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Balayan is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kettu.
Kettu is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Balayan swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Balayan uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kettu.
Kettu moves out of range as Balayan throws a body kick.
Kettu takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Esa Kettu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kettu on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Balayan misses with a body shot.
Balayan bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Balayan is looking to counter with a body kick.
Balayan has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balayan blocks a head kick by Kettu.
A solid leg kick lands there for Kettu.
Kettu throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Balayan stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Balayan checks a leg kick.
Kettu lands a nice shot to the body.
Balayan scoring well with a low kick there.
Balayan scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

Balayan gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A hook to the body from Kettu.
Kettu swings wildly with an uppercut but Balayan uses good head movement to avoid it.

Balayan manages to break the clinch.
Kettu looks to land a body kick but Balayan moved away.
Balayan scores with a sloppy right hand. Kettu should have avoided that one.
Balayan avoids the head kick by Kettu.
Balayan tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Kettu manages to circle out of the way.
Balayan throws a head kick that misses.
Kettu slips under a jab.
Kettu looks for the body kick but Balayan saw that one coming.
Balayan moves into range and connects with a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balayan moves out of range of the body kick.
Kettu connects with a solid leg kick.
Balayan throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kettu tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Balayan is able to avoid easily.
Kettu throws a low kick but Balayan avoids it.
Kettu closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Balayan looks to score with a jab to the body but Kettu is just out of range.
Kettu throws a front kick aimed at Balayan's knee but Balayan avoids it well.
Kettu throws a series of punches but Balayan avoids them all with ease.
Jab by Balayan.
Balayan is looking to score with low kicks.
Kettu scores with a jab.
Kettu throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kettu lands with a good body shot.

Kettu moves into the clinch successfully.
Balayan blocking some punches.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kettu blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kettu has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Balayan seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Kettu can turn it around.
Balayan tries to throw a body punch but Kettu avoids it by throwing Balayan back against the cage.
Balayan goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Balayan lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kettu misses with a short punch on the inside.
Balayan lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Kettu.
Kettu misses with a punch on the inside.
Kettu takes a shot to the head.
Kettu tries to work over Balayan's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Balayan doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Balayan is working Kettu over against the cage.
A right hook to the body lands for Balayan.
Kettu tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Balayan manages to break the clinch.
Kettu looks to land a right hand but Balayan moved out of range.
Kettu darts in trying to clinch
and Balayan counters with a straight right hand.
Balayan with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kettu misses with a straight left.
Balayan jabs Kettu to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Kettu missing with a left hand there. Balayan was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kettu defending well as Balayan loads up on a big left hand.
Kettu slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Garegin Balayan will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Kettu thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kettu misses with an uppercut
and Balayan counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Kettu takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Kettu tries to counter with a clinch but Balayan shakes him off and moves away.
Kettu drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Kettu takes a swing at Balayan's ribcage but misses.
Balayan misses with a leg kick.
Kettu throws a poor cross that misses
and Balayan counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Kettu throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Balayan counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Balayan checks a leg kick.
Balayan tries to clinch but Kettu is having none of it.
Kettu takes one on the button.
Balayan scores with the left hand. Kettu knows he should have avoided that one.
Kettu throws a looping overhand right but Balayan ducks down to avoid it.
Balayan throws a body kick that misses.

Balayan rushes Kettu and presses him up against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Balayan pushes Kettu back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kettu prevents a body shot from Balayan.
Balayan lands a nice uppercut.
Kettu makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Balayan misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kettu misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kettu prevents a body shot from Balayan.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Balayan creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Balayan gets through Kettu's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Balayan scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kettu tries a body shot but Balayan blocks it.
Balayan blocking some punches.
A body shot lands from Balayan.
Balayan lands with a light punch inside.
Balayan cracks Kettu with a nice body shot.
Kettu tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kettu working aggressively here.
Balayan softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Balayan swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kettu lands with a light punch inside.
Balayan tries a body shot but Kettu blocks it.
Kettu tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Balayan's elbow.
Balayan swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Balayan fails to land.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Balayan struggles to land a body shot inside as Kettu controls his hands.
Balayan misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kettu throws a punch but it's blocked by Balayan.
Kettu swings wildly with an uppercut but Balayan uses good head movement to avoid it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kettu.
Kettu tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Balayan misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kettu lands a shoulder strike.
Kettu tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kettu lands a body punch.
Balayan tries to work over Kettu's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kettu tries to work over Balayan's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kettu misses with a punch to the body.
A right hand to the body from Balayan.
Kettu tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Balayan misses with a punch on the inside.
Garegin Balayan has scored more points in the clinch so far.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Balayan.
Kettu scores with a nice hook to the head.
Kettu working aggressively here.
Kettu misses with some punches.
Balayan misses with a punch on the inside.
Kettu misses with a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kettu lands with a short shot to the head.
Kettu makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Balayan blocks an uppercut.
Balayan lands with a light punch inside.
Kettu blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A short uppercut from Balayan.
Kettu throws a head punch that misses.
Kettu lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Balayan or not.
Still in the clinch, Balayan scores with a nice short uppercut.
A right handed body shot lands from Balayan.
Balayan is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kettu can do to turn this around?
Kettu tries to work over Balayan's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Balayan tries to work over Kettu's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Balayan trying to control the position but instead, Kettu has worked for underhooks and has pushed Balayan into the cage.
Balayan misses with a punch to the body.
Balayan tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Balayan lands a body shot in the clinch.

Balayan's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Balayan tries to land a front kick but Kettu steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Kettu throws out a counter right but Balayan avoids it with no problem.
Kettu misses with a double jab
letting Balayan counter with a right hand.
Garegin Balayan is winning the standup battle so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kettu scores with a jab.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Balayan checks a leg kick.
Balayan was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Balayan will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Balayan swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kettu connects with the punch.
Kettu is looking to slow Balayan down with leg kicks.
Balayan motions for Kettu to come forward. Balayan throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Balayan scores with a kick to the body.
A head kick misses from Balayan.

Kettu instigates a clinch.
Kettu pushes Balayan back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Balayan blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Balayan misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Balayan digs a right hand into Kettu's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Kettu's gas tank.
Balayan lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Balayan tries to throw a body punch but Kettu avoids it by throwing Balayan back against the cage.
Balayan digs a right hand underneath Kettu's ribcage. Kettu let out a lung full of air as it connected.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Garegin Balayan dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Kettu takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Kettu just misses with a punch to the body.
As Kettu backs away, Balayan returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Balayan fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Kettu.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Balayan.
Nice straight punches there by Balayan. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Balayan.
Balayan lands a jab to the nose.
Kettu lands with a slapping head kick.
Balayan throws the kick towards the body but Kettu avoids it.
Kettu throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kettu misses with a straight right.
Balayan on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Balayan takes one on the button.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Kettu uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Balayan.
Kettu is looking to score with low kicks.
Kettu slips under a jab.
Balayan bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Balayan half committed to a counter leg kick.
Kettu scoring well with a low kick there.
A big right from Kettu misses.
Kettu takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Balayan finds it's way through Kettu's defenses.
Kettu lands with a hook. Balayan tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Balayan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kettu rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Balayan moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Kettu misses with an uppercut.
Balayan quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Balayan takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Kettu takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Kettu connects with a body shot that sends Balayan's belly button to the back.
Kettu has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Balayan.
Kettu will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Kettu tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Balayan was well out of range. Poor timing from Kettu.
Kettu gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Balayan counters with a stiff right hand.
A jab from Balayan misses.
Balayan throws a jab when Kettu was well out of range.
Kettu lands a leg kick that knocks Balayan off balance momentarily.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Kettu lands a slapping body shot.
Balayan connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
A right-left combo lands from Kettu.
Esa Kettu has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Balayan.
Balayan tries to land a front kick but Kettu steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Balayan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kettu was well out of range. Poor timing from Balayan.
Balayan swings away with a leg kick that misses.
A chopping leg kick lands by Balayan.
Balayan pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kettu's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
A swing and a miss from Kettu.
Balayan throwing a counter right hand but Kettu manages to avoid it.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kettu. That's going to slow Balayan down.
Balayan cracks Kettu with a good jab.
Balayan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Balayan throws a body shot but no joy.
Kettu swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
A low kick from Kettu is predictable there
and Balayan connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Balayan ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kettu moves away.
Kettu fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Balayan is out of range.
Balayan throws a shot to the body.
Kettu dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Balayan. That did some damage!

Kettu takes the fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balayan is working Kettu over against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kettu.
Kettu misses with the head strike.
Kettu working aggressively here.
Balayan lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Balayan blocks an uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Kettu fails to land.
A right handed body shot lands from Kettu.
Balayan tries to work over Kettu's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Balayan lands an uppercut.
Balayan scores with a shot to the side of Kettu's head.
Kettu tries to work over Balayan's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Balayan digs a right hand underneath Kettu's ribcage. Kettu let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Balayan lands with a left to the head.
Balayan misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Balayan lands a nice shot to the body.
Kettu misses with a punch on the inside.
Balayan blocks an uppercut.
Balayan misses with a body punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kettu swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kettu fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Balayan tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kettu's elbow.
Balayan can't find room to land a body shot as Kettu controls the action.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kettu lands a right hand that snaps the head of Balayan backwards.
Balayan presses Kettu against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Balayan blocks an uppercut.
Balayan makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A right handed body shot lands from Balayan.
Kettu blocking some punches.
Balayan can't find room to land a body shot as Kettu controls the action.
Balayan misses with a punch to the body.
Balayan blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kettu tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kettu misses with a punch on the inside.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Balayan lands a nice shot to the body.
Balayan lands a left hand that snaps the head of Kettu backwards.
Kettu takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kettu scores with a nice hook to the head.
Balayan lands a knee to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Garegin Balayan.
Well Balayan has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Garegin Balayan!
Garegin Balayan decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.